Friday, September 30, 2011

A Word from Baxter Boo
There are plenty of pet megasites out there that are run by people who wear expensive suits with no pet hair on them. BaxterBoo.com is run by Josh & Jeremy, two guys who have been friends since childhood, and who know a thing or two about how folks like to be treated. We personally inspect every item we carry. We stock only those products that we would give to our own four-legged friends and that represent the best mix of fun, quality and value. When you shop at BaxterBoo.com, your order receives personal attention from our warehouse staff (and often sniffs of approval from a resident dog or cat). Your order will almost always be shipped the same day. We provide special discounts to existing customers because we value our relationships. We take personal pride in ensuring that you're satisfied with your order and that you'll tell your friends about Baxter Boo.

Baxter Boo always has FREE SHIPPING on anything! They have a great selection of doggy clothing, beds, harnesses, collars, toys, grooming products, treats and MUCH more! They have a fantastic collection of Halloween costumes, but since Remington's costume is a surprise, it can't be revealed until after his daycare's Halloween party on October 23!

My little furry son & model Remington helped me partner with Baxter Boo and he is pleased to show off some of their fantastic products.

They usually say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. But what if that picture was actually worth a life? Could it be possible that one simple picture can actually have such an impact that it could save a life?
Most of us don’t think about how much pictures change our perception. Take for example marketing. Next time you look through a glamour magazine, look at the makeup ads. Do you think that if the pictures of the models weren’t taken with such care, the company would actually sell as much as they do? Probably not. Good photographs are what drive sales.

The same concept is now being used to market rescues. Shelters all over are taking notice of just how much of an impact a good photo can have. Typically, shelters invest all their money into the health of the animal, so their digital cameras are in no way top notch. The bad pictures weren’t exactly reeling in the adoptive parents.
Several professional photographers have sat up and taken notice. There has been a spike of selfless, generous photographers that have lent their services to animal shelters in hopes of higher adoption rates. And guess what? It’s worked!

A Dallas, Texas photographer, Teresa Berg, has actually raised shelter adoption rates by 100%! Her efforts as a volunteer photographer took the shelter’s adoption rates through the roof. Teresa started working directly with a dachshund rescue group and every dog she photographed was adopted in record time.

Dressing the dogs up in pearls and bows can make the difference between life and death. By seeing good photos of the animals, people can actually picture them in their home. Their sweet personalities and loving natures can be seen without having to meet the pooch in person. Switching the marketing from photos of dogs behind bars to dogs with smiling faces can make all the difference in the world.

Jennifer Hague, another volunteer photographer in Kansas City, has donated her services to help save our furry friends. Jennifer is persistent, shooting in temperatures as high as 100+ or as cold as negative 10. Nothing seems to stop this devoted volunteer to bring a voice to the abandoned. Devoting her time to photograph dogs at KC P.A.W.S.,

Jennifer finds great comfort in the fact that she can capture the innocent spirit, unconditional love, and unique personalities of dogs that would otherwise go unnoticed. By selflessly donating some of her time and camera skills, she has been able to save countless lives.

If every professional photographer found it in their heart to take up donating their camera time to just one shelter, think about all the dogs that could be saved! By simply switching the lighting and throwing on an accessory or two, pets could be more adoptable. A photo is worth more than a 1,000 words, it can be worth a life.

Monday, September 26, 2011

According to the ASPCA, approximately 8-12 million animals enter shelters nationwide every year and around 5-9 million are euthanized. Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them. Some of you may think these stats are too overwhelming and even if you helped promote adoption or volunteered that it would never make a dent in the shocking numbers of pet overpopulation. But, even if you save the life of just one animal, isn't it worth all your efforts? I say, yes. We can all make a difference in the lives of homeless animals... but we have to actually put forth an effort and not just talk about it with pity in our hearts.

I volunteer regularly by photographing the dogs up for adoption at KC PAWS in Kansas City. KC PAWS also works with local rescues and helps board some of their dogs, so they have room to rescue more homeless pets. This round of photos includes dogs from KC PAWS, Last Chance Black Dog Rescue, Unleashed Pet Rescue, Mastiff Hope and Mid America Bully Breed Rescue. I am also partnered with the lovely Kyndra Jade of www.petliks.com, who generously donates her adorable bowtie and flower collar accessories to any adoptable dog that I photograph. It's just an extra special touch that are giving these adoptables even more exposure to help meet their forever family.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

It never gets any easier when I hear that a client's dog has passed away that I have photographed. I just learned that sweet Cash passed away of kidney failure last Spring. I will always remember what a happy dog he was. His family rescued him and he was very attached to them, especially his Mommy. He was cautious of strangers, but I will never forget how pleasantly surprised his Mommy was when Cash warmed up to me so quickly.

According to www.petmd.com, Acute uremia is a sudden-onset condition that is characterized by high levels of urea, protein products, and amino acids in the blood. This condition usually follows sudden kidney injuries, or occurs when the urinary tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder (ureters) are obstructed. As a result, the outflow of urine is obstructed, creating an imbalance in fluid regulation and leading to a buildup of potential toxins in the body. To read more about Kidney failure in canines, please click here for the full article.

Cash, you are greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to be a part of your life, but I know you are enjoying Heaven, along with all the other doggies who have crossed the rainbow bridge.

Your Pets In Heavenby Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all. For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you. For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly. For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures. I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever. You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique. Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Grandpa Griff is a Brussels Griffon. One of the most adorable breeds in my opinion. Just try to look at his face without smiling... I dare you! Bet you wouldn't realize that Grandpa Griff lived a horrid life of constant breeding in a puppy mill until it was determined that he was too old and not "useful" anymore. He was rescued from the puppy mill and now lives a spoiled life with his Mommy Shannon and her two other furry babies. Grandpa (age 10) was one of the lucky ones that escaped the puppy mill with his life.

According to an article on www.ehow.com, puppy mills are foul-smelling factories that produce puppies by the thousands with no care to their health, well-being or accuracy in marking registration papers. The dogs stay in wire cages, often stacked on top of each other, all of their lives. The cages and the animals are never cleaned. They never see a vet. They are bred indiscriminately, leading to very sickly animals. Common health concerns in these dogs include: Canine Parvovirus, Hip Dysplasia, Neurological Problems, Eye Problems and Blood Disorders.

Did you know that if you support Petland and other pet stores, there is a good chance those pets were bought from substandard puppy mills and they may have some of the health issues listed above. By supporting and buying these pets, you are consequently supporting the viscous puppy mill cycle. This is why I dedicate my life to photographing and advocating for dogs in a shelter and rescue environment who desperately need homes before they are euthanized due to space and because of startling pet overpopulation.

Grandpa Griff hopes you remember the truth about puppy mills and also enjoy the below photos from his session with me. He was an absolute delight and I couldn't help but want to squeeze his little face the entire time. Be sure to find this wise lad on Facebook too!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Steve Tolbert of Steve Tolbert Auto World generously hosted our 2nd pet adoption event on September 10, 2011. Steve graciously pays for all onsite adoption fees. Yes, you heard that right -- which means your local rescue can attend our events (without any booth fees) and adopters who apply for a pet appearing at the event will not incur any adoption fee! Even if your rescue requires home visits and does not technically allow "onsite" adoptions, Steve will still cover the adoption expenses if someone applies for a pet appearing at the event and is approved.

I have become very known in the Kansas City rescue community and as a result have many rescue and pet business contacts who all love to join these events and many offer amazing incentives to adopters. This time promotions included free 25 lb bags of food from Nature's Select, free grooming certificates from Pampered Paws Grooming, free 1 hour training consultations from Canine Solutions, free scrapbooks and tiles from Personalized Pet Tales, free 1 dozen homemade dog treats from Cassie's K-9 Bakery, $10 gift certificates from Dog Pawz PlayNStay and DZ Wear, and yours truly was onsite photographing adoptable dogs for free. Almost 40 pets were adopted at this successful event and we are thrilled to have a Spring event in the works for next May. If your rescue or pet related business is interested in joining the event, please e-mail me at fixyourimages@hotmail.com. Be sure to give Steve Tolbert a special thanks for his generosity and for supporting animal rescue! To see a list of participating groups in the September event, click here.